A heartbroken young dancer is looking for sponsorship to make her dream come true and be a star.

Ten-year-old Emily Row was devastated when her lorry driver father died three weeks ago from a sudden heart attack at work.

Neil Hargreaves was her number one fan and although he lived apart he helped fund her twice-weekly dance lessons at Elgeez Dance Studio in Shipley and pay for costs of getting her to and from competitions.

Since his death Emily's mum Jane, from Eccleshill, who works part-time in an office, has been struggling to pay the £60 a month fees.

Now Jane is faced with finding funding from other sources and hopes local businesses will get in touch to offer sponsorship. "Emily's dad was extremely proud of her and her dancing. Her dad was her first love and dancing her second. She's lost him so I can't let her lose it, dancing means so much to her. She absolutely loves it and wants to be a famous dancer one day.

"We are hoping there might be a local company or business who would be willing to help sponsor all or some of Emily's dancing costs. We could put their logo or name on the back of her track suit," said Jane. "Emily is taking losing her dad one day at a time. It's very difficult for her but she is a strong little lady."

Emily has been dancing since she was six and in just one year of entering competitions has been awarded 19 trophies. Disco, rock n roll and free style are what she enjoys most on the dance-floor and she definitely has star-potential said her teacher Lindsey Garbutt.

Lindsey said: "She is one of the most promising youngsters I have ever taught. She definitely has what it'll take to be a star one day. It can be an expensive interest, lessons, travelling to competitions and paying for costumes all mounts up. It would be tragic if Emily ever had to give up on her dream. The more competitions she can enter now, the quicker she'll get to the standard where she'll be noticed by talent-scouts," said Lindsey.

Anyone interested in sponsoring Emily should call Jane on 07986 934445.